Hodgson: This season will make Arsenal, Chelsea and Man United target Sterling stronger

The England forward has been ­involved in a number of off-the-field incidents during this campaign, including being pictured inhaling so-called “hippy crack” and is currently involved in a contract stand-off with his Anfield club.

Sterling has also been booed by some sections of Liverpool’s fans, with his agent Aidy Ward claiming the Kop star will not sign a new deal – even if he was offered £900,000 a week.

That news has alerted Manchester United, City, Arsenal and Chelsea, who could all make a play for the playmaker, who only has two years left on his ­contract.

But England boss Hodgson said: “I think Raheem has ridden several ­situations out very well when he’s been in the headlines for other than football reasons.

“The games I’ve seen him play recently, even though Liverpool haven’t been at their very best, have also seen him make good contributions.

MOVING FORWARD: Hodgson thinks Sterling has handled himself well [GETTY]

“I think Raheem has ridden several ­situations out very well when he’s been in the headlines for other than football reasons”

Roy Hodgson

“So I’m rather hoping this ­season will make him even stronger.

“He will lose none of his ­football qualities whatsoever and maybe mentally he’ll be a bit more prepared for what ­being a star at Liverpool and with England means.

“That very nice period, when everyone is saying nice things about you, is often shortlived.

“Things turn when you find yourself in difficult situations – unless you manage to avoid them all.

“People start to stop looking at the benefits of your game and start searching for the potential negatives.

“But let’s be fair. How many players could we name with lots of England caps who have not found themselves every now and again in the headlines?”

Hodgson believes Sterling, 20, can ­develop into a player who wins major ­individual awards in the Premier League, such is his talent.

The England boss insists he does not want to talk of Sterling as the next Eden Hazard or compare him to Chelsea’s ­double Footballer of the Year award ­winner.

But Hodgson added: “Raheem has ­already won Young Player of the Year awards, so there’s no reason why he can’t, in three or four years, be at that level where he wins senior awards.”

Hodgson also states that Sterling can play equally effectively as a central ­striker as he does out on the wing.

That could be handy for England with strikers like Danny Welbeck and Daniel Sturridge both having struggled with ­injuries this season.

“Raheem can certainly play centrally. He could play as a main man – of course he could. He’s strong,” said the England boss.

Hodgson, meanwhile, believes his ­selection of Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton for next month’s matches against the Republic of Ireland and Slovenia has sent a positive message to players in a general sense.

Burnley have just been relegated from the top flight but Hodgson said: “His ­selection should send a message that you don’t have to play for a successful team to get into the England squad.

“If the coach thinks your qualities are going to improve the squad, then you should be in it.

“If players are watched by me or Gary Neville or Ray Lewington and they play well, then they’ve got a chance.”